The Commander, Naval Submarine Forces (a.k.a. COMNAVSUBFOR; and dual-hatted as Commander, Naval Submarine Force, Atlantic or COMSUBLANT or SUBLANT) is the Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet
type commander under the
United States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) is a service component command of the United States Navy that provides naval forces to a wide variety of U.S. forces. The naval resources may be allocated to Combatant Commanders such as United Sta ...
.
The principal responsibility of the Admiral commanding is to operate, maintain, train, and equip submarines. COMSUBLANT also has additional duties as commander of
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
's Allied Submarine Command and also Commander, Naval Submarine Forces. As Commander, Naval Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), an additional
type commander role, he also supervises Commander, Submarine Force Pacific (often known as
COMSUBPAC). From the 1960s to the 1990s the commander also held the NATO post of Commander, Submarines, Western Atlantic (COMSUBWESTLANT).
History
Established on 7 December 1941,
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a flag officer rank used by English-speaking navies. In most European navies, the equivalent rank is called counter admiral.
Rear admiral is usually immediately senior to commodore and immediately below vice admiral. It is ...
Richard S. Edwards was its first commander. COMSUBLANT headquarters was at
Naval Submarine Base New London
Naval Submarine Base New London is the primary United States Navy East Coast submarine base, also known as the "Home of the Submarine Force." It is located in Groton, Connecticut directly across the Thames River from its namesake city of New L ...
until 1960, when it was moved to
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk is a United States Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, that is the headquarters and home port of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Forces Command. The installation occupies about of waterfront space and of pier and wharf space of the Ham ...
. U.S. submarine operations in the Atlantic, however, date from before
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
. On January 1, 1913, Lieutenant
Chester W. Nimitz was in command of the Atlantic Submarine Flotilla, with First Group consisting of submarines ''
C-2'', ''
C-3'', ''
C-4'', and ''
C-5'' under Lieutenant Lewis D. Causey, and Second Group consisting of submarines ''
D-1'', ''
D-2'', ''
D-3'', ''
E-1'', and ''
E-2'' under Lieutenant (junior grade) Claudius R. Hyatt. Nimitz was in command from May 1912 to March 1913.
In October 1945,
Submarine Squadron 2 was established at
Naval Submarine Base New London
Naval Submarine Base New London is the primary United States Navy East Coast submarine base, also known as the "Home of the Submarine Force." It is located in Groton, Connecticut directly across the Thames River from its namesake city of New L ...
,
Groton, Connecticut
Groton ( ) is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States, located on the Thames River (Connecticut), Thames River. It is the home of General Dynamics Electric Boat, which is the major contractor for submarine work for the United St ...
, and in February 1946,
Submarine Squadron 8 was commissioned at Groton.
"In correspondence of 31 January 1949, the Chief of Naval Operations directed 'that the Fleet Commanders assign one division in each fleet to
hesole task
f solvingthe problem of using submarines to detect and destroy enemy submarines. All other operations of any nature, even type training, ASW services, or fleet tactics, shall be subordinated to this mission.' After a further exchange of correspondence, Submarine Forces Atlantic established Submarine Development Group 2, consisting of four Diesel submarines, two Guppy (
Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program
The Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY) was initiated by the United States Navy after World War II to improve the submerged speed, maneuverability, and endurance of its submarines. (The "Y" in the acronym was added for pronouncea ...
) conversions and two standard fleet boats." The initial staff included Captain
Roy S. Benson, two officers and two yeomen reporting directly to him.
In 1951, Submarine Squadron 10 was established at State Pier,
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States, located at the outlet of the Thames River (Connecticut), Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, which empties into Long Island Sound. The cit ...
. The squadron has the distinction of being the only unit associated with Submarine Base New London to actually be located in New London instead of Groton. In the early 1960s Squadron 10 became the first all-nuclear United States submarine squadron. The squadron was supported by for most of its existence, until both ''Fulton'' and the squadron were decommissioned in May, 1991.
In December 1969, Submarine Squadron 8 was decommissioned.
Submarine Squadron 14 operated Fleet Ballistic Missile boats from
Holy Loch
The Holy Loch () is a sea loch, part of the Firth of Clyde, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
The "Holy Loch" name is believed to date from the 6th century, when Saint Munn landed there after leaving Ireland. Kilmun Parish Church and Argyll Mausole ...
,
Scotland
Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
, from 1961 until it was disbanded in 1992. COMSUBLANT also oversaw
Submarine Squadron 22 at
La Maddalena in the Mediterranean, which existed 1972–2008 and was known as Submarine Refit and Training Group La Maddalena from 1972 to the mid-1980s.
Submarine Group 8 continues to operate in support of U.S. and NATO objectives there.
On 1 May 1977, Submarine Development Group 2 was officially redesignated as Submarine Development Squadron 12 in recognition of its role and responsibilities and new organizational status. In August 1979, Submarine Squadron 8 was recommissioned in Norfolk, where it remained until consolidation with
Submarine Squadron 6 on April 28, 2011. On January 13, 2012, Submarine Squadron 2 similarly was disestablished, transferring its boats to Submarine Squadron 4 and Submarine Development Squadron 12.
As Commander, Task Force 42, COMSUBLANT operated Atlantic Fleet attack submarines. In addition, as Commander, Task Force 84, the previous Atlantic Fleet special surveillance and anti-submarine warfare commander, COMSUBLANT operates submarines, Maritime Patrol Aircraft, surface ships assigned by Fleet Forces Command and Integrated Undersea Surveillance System assets.
As of 2011, SUBLANT numbers 30 submarines and more than 15,000 officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel providing combat ready submarines in the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans and the
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern Eur ...
.
Commander, Naval Submarine Forces wrote in June 2012 on his blog: "We're not perfect. In the Submarine Force we've had some high-visibility lapses in character. You've read about them: the cheating incident on USS MEMPHIS, the fraternization between the Chief of the Boat and a female midshipman on USS NEBRASKA, an incident of hazing on
USS Florida, and the financial misconduct of some Supply Officers in Kings Bay. In each case, once discovered, these incidents were thoroughly investigated, and appropriate people were held accountable. This is our approach and we'll continue to address these cases swiftly and decisively."
There have also been previous problems of this nature. Commander Michael J. Alfonso was relieved as Commander, Blue Crew,
USS ''Florida'' (SSBN-728) in 1997 for ignoring his executive officer and browbeating his crew.
Rear Admiral Kenneth Perry, Commander, Submarine Group 2, retired on Friday, August 22, 2014, and the post of Commander Submarine Group 2 was disestablished that day. The responsibilities of the 45 personnel in the group headquarters have been shifted to the individual submarine squadrons. The new arrangement, with Submarine Squadrons reporting directly to the Submarine type commander for the fleet, mirrors that functioning in the Pacific.
Submarines and units
These are the submarines and related units reporting to COMSUBLANT.
Norfolk
Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...
, Virginia
Commander, Submarine Squadron 6 (COMSUBRON Six):
*
USS ''San Francisco'' (SSN 711)
*
*
*
USS ''Pasadena'' (SSN 752)
*
*
*
USS ''New Hampshire'' (SSN 778)
*
USS ''John Warner'' (SSN 785)
*
USS ''Washington'' (SSN 787)
*
USS ''Montana'' (SSN 794)
*
USS ''New Jersey'' (SSN 796)
*
USS ''Massachusetts'' (SSN 798)
Groton, Connecticut
Commander,
Submarine Group 2
Submarine Group 2 (also known as SUBGRU 2) is a seagoing group of the United States Navy based at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia.
History
Between 1965 and 2014, Submarine Group 2 was responsible for the administrative ...
(COMSUBGRU Two)
Submarine Group 2 was disestablished on 22 August 2014. It had been previously designated Submarine Flotilla Two and was active in the Atlantic Fleet from at least 1978 to 2014 and based in Groton, CT. (Ships and Aircraft, Eleventh Edition, 1978)
Commander, Submarine Squadron 2 (COMSUBRON Two):
Submarine Squadron 2 was disestablished in 2012 and all COMSUBRON 2 assigned attack submarines were assigned to COMSUBRON 4 or Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12.
Commander,
Submarine Squadron 4
Submarine Squadron 4 ( SUBRON 4, also known as CSS-4) is a US Navy unit of submarines.
Raised by the United States Navy in 1930, since 9 July 1997, the squadron has been based at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut, United St ...
(COMSUBRON Four):
*
USS ''Montpelier'' (SSN 765)
*
*
USS ''Minnesota'' (SSN 783)
*
USS ''North Dakota'' (SSN 784)
*
USS ''Colorado'' (SSN 788)
*
USS ''South Dakota'' (SSN 790)
*
USS ''Vermont'' (SSN 792)
*
USS ''Oregon'' (SSN 793)
*
USS ''Hyman G. Rickover'' (SSN 795)
*
USS ''Iowa'' (SSN 797)
*
USS ''Idaho'' (SSN 799)
Commander, Submarine Squadron 12 (COMSUBRON 12):
*
*
*
USS ''Santa Fe'' (SSN 763)
*
USS ''Toledo'' (SSN 769)
*
USS ''Virginia'' (SSN 774)
*
USS ''Texas'' (SSN 775)
*
USS ''New Mexico'' (SSN 779)
*
USS ''California'' (SSN 781)
*
USS ''Indiana'' (SSN 789)
*
USS ''Delaware'' (SSN 791)
Submarine Development Squadron 12's mission, as assigned by the Chief of Naval Operations, is to develop the tactics and promulgate the tactical doctrine to conduct submarine warfare. Organized as Submarine Development Group 2 on 9 May 1949, the original charter was to solve the problem of using submarines to defeat and destroy enemy submarines. During the intervening years this charter has grown in scope to support the full range of submarine missions including arctic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, mine warfare and tactical strike warfare. With the vastly improved capabilities of the modern nuclear submarine and a weapons delivery capability that include mines, torpedoes, and cruise missiles, there are few naval warfare missions which cannot be conducted by submarines. On 1 May 1977, Submarine Development Group 2 was officially re-designated as Submarine Development Squadron 12 in recognition of its expanded role and responsibilities and new organizational status. The Headquarters has been located at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut since 1949. Submarine Development Squadron 12 also commands a squadron of the most modern attack submarines.
On January 15, 2016 Submarine Development Squadron 12 was re-designated Submarine Squadron 12, given the tactical development responsibilities fall under the
Undersea Warfighting Development Center
Portsmouth
Portsmouth ( ) is a port city status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. Most of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island, off the south coast of England in the Solent, making Portsmouth the only city in En ...
, New Hampshire/Maine
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard serves as one of the primary maintenance facilities for U.S. submarines from both the Atlantic and Pacific. No submarines are officially based here.
Kings Bay, Georgia
Commander, Submarine Group 10 (COMSUBGRU Ten)

Commander,
Submarine Squadron 16 (COMSUBRON Sixteen):
*
*
Commander,
Submarine Squadron 20 (COMSUBRON Twenty):
*
*
*
*
*
*
USS ''Wyoming'' (SSBN 742)
Officers serving as COMSUBLANT

The following is an incomplete list:
[Blair, Clay, Jr. ''Silent Victory''. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1975.]
*Rear Admiral
Richard S. Edwards, 1941–1942
*Rear Admiral
Freeland A. Daubin, 1942–1944
*Rear Admiral
Charles W. Styer, 1944–1946
*Rear Admiral
John Wilkes
John Wilkes (17 October 1725 – 26 December 1797) was an English Radicalism (historical), radical journalist and politician, as well as a magistrate, essayist and soldier. He was first elected a Member of Parliament in 1757. In the Middlese ...
, 1946–1947
*Rear Admiral
James Fife, Jr., 1947–1950
*Rear Admiral
Stuart S. "Sunshine" Murray, 1950–1952
*Rear Admiral
George C. "Turkey Neck" Crawford, 1952–1954
*Rear Admiral
Frank T. Watkins, 1954–1957
*Rear Admiral
Charles W. "Weary" Wilkins, March–September 1957
†
*Rear Admiral
Frederick B. Warder, September 1957 – 1960
†
*Rear Admiral
Lawrence R. "Dan" Daspit, January–September 1960
†
*Vice Admiral
Elton W. "Joe" Grenfell, September 1960 – 1964
† (also
COMSUBPAC, 1964–1966)
*Vice Admiral
Vernon L. "Rebel" Lowrance, 1964–1966
†
*Vice Admiral
Arnold F. Schade, 1966–1970
†
*Vice Admiral
Eugene P. Wilkinson
Eugene Parks "Dennis" Wilkinson (August 10, 1918 – July 11, 2013) was a United States Navy officer. He was selected for three historic command assignments. The first, in 1954, was as the first commanding officer of , the world's first nuclear-po ...
, 1970–1972 (last WW2 submarine officer to hold the position)
*Vice Admiral
Robert L. J. Long, 1972–1974
*Vice Admiral J. Williams Jr, 1974–1977
*Vice Admiral Kenneth M. Carr, 1977–1980
*Vice Admiral
Steven A. White, 1980–1983
*Vice Admiral Bernard M. Kauderer, 1983–1986
*Vice Admiral Daniel 'Dan' L. Cooper, 1986–1988
*Vice Admiral Roger F. Bacon, 1988–1990
*Vice Admiral
Henry "Hank" G. Chiles, 1990–1993
*Vice Admiral George W. Emery, 1993–1996
*Vice Admiral
Richard W. Mies, 1996–1998
*Vice Admiral
Edmund P. Giambiastiani, 1998–2000
*Vice Admiral John J. Grossenbacher, 2000–2003
*Vice Admiral
Kirk H. Donald, 2003–2004
*Vice Admiral
Charles L. Munns, 2004–2007
*Vice Admiral
John J. Donnelly, 2007–2010
*Vice Admiral
John Richardson, 2010–2012
*Vice Admiral
Michael J. Connor, 2012–2015
*Vice Admiral
Joseph E. Tofalo, 2015–2018
*Vice Admiral
Charles A. Richard 2018–2019
*Vice Admiral
Daryl Caudle 2019-2021
*Vice Admiral
William J. Houston 2021–2023
*Vice Admiral
Robert Gaucher 2023–present
† Wartime submarine commander
References
External links
Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Comsublant
Commander, Submarine Atlantic
*Commander, Submarine Atlantic
Military history of the Atlantic Ocean
Military units and formations established in 1941